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Spam Calls: You have likely received spam calls on your phone at some point—calls attempting to lure you into loan schemes or lottery scams. But where do these fraudsters actually get your number from?

Spam Calls: "Do you need a personal loan?" "We have a fantastic lottery offer for you..." Every smartphone user today is plagued by such spam and fraudulent calls. Whether you are in an important meeting or relaxing, these calls often disturb you multiple times a day. But have you ever wondered how these unknown companies and scammers get hold of your personal mobile number without you ever sharing it with them? Let’s understand the techniques behind this.

How do scammers reach your number?

In reality, a vast network and modern technology operate behind these spam calls. For instance, when you provide your number at a billing counter while shopping at a mall or sign up for an unfamiliar app, your data is not entirely secure. Agencies known as "data brokers" purchase this data in bulk at very low prices and subsequently sell it to telemarketing companies or fraudsters.

Furthermore, scammers do not always need to know your number beforehand; they often utilize specialized computer software or auto-dialers. These systems automatically place calls to a series of thousands of random numbers simultaneously. As soon as someone answers the phone, the computer registers that the number is active and adds it to a "live" list. Additionally, if you have made your mobile number public on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, or job portals, automated software designed to scrape data from the internet can easily deliver your number to scammers.

How can you protect yourself from these scammers? Whenever we receive a spam call, we block the number, yet that does not fully solve the problem. Spammers possess hundreds of fake SIM cards and use internet calling methods, allowing them to call you from a new number each time. To tackle this issue, you can install the Indian government's 'Sanchar Saathi' app; the 'Chakshu' feature within the app allows you to report such spammers. Additionally, you can send a text message with the text "START 0" to 1909. This activates the 'Full Do Not Disturb' service on your mobile number, which significantly reduces the number of commercial calls you receive.